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2ObjectivesDescribe the role and responsibilities of an electrocardiography technician.Explain the role and responsibilities of a cardiovascular technologist.Identify two or more cardiovascular diagnostic tests.Chapter 25

3Objectives (cont.)Contrast the roles and responsibilities of the electroencephalography (EEG) technologist and the electroneurodiagnostic technologist.Explain the purpose of an electroencephalogram.Successfully complete 1 medical testing procedure.Chapter 25

5Careers in Medical TestingCareer opportunities are excellent, including the four most common occupations:Electrocardiography (ECG) technician.Cardiovascular technologist.Electroencephalography (EEG) technologist.Electroneurodiagnostic (END) technologist.Chapter 25

6Electrocardiography TechnicianUses an electrocardiograph to record the electrical activity of the heart as a tracing.Electrocardiograms help diagnose and evaluate cardiovascular disease.Determines if the tracing is accurate and prepares a report for the physician.Chapter 25

9Electrocardiography Technician (cont.)Ambulatory MonitoringTracings are recorded on a client who is ambulatory. Often a Holter monitor is used.Job responsibilitiesApply and remove the ambulatory monitor.Provide client education.Ensure results are placed in the client’s chart.Maintain the equipment.Chapter 25

10Cardiovascular TechnologistMay need up to 4 years of education and training.Works directly with cardiologists in clinics, hospitals, physician’s offices, medical centers, and mobile diagnostic units.Chapter 25

11Cardiovascular Technologist (cont.)Job ResponsibilitiesMay assist physicians with heart surgery, implantation of pacemakers, and invasive tests such as angioplasty and cardiac catheterization.Some specialize in performing ultrasound on the heart and blood vessels in the test called an echocardiogram.Chapter 25

12Cardiovascular Technologist (cont.)Cardiovascular TestingA cardiovascular technician needs:A thorough understanding of the anatomy and physiology of the cardiovascular system.An ability to work with computers and other technical equipment.Chapter 25

13Cardiovascular Technologist (cont.)Cardiovascular Testing (cont.)Cardiac CatheterizationThis test looks at the structures of the heart.A small tube is threaded through the client’s blood vessels to the heart, where pressure is measured and dye is injected.Chapter 25

14Cardiovascular Technologist (cont.)Cardiovascular Testing (cont.)Balloon angioplastyA catheter with a balloon on its end is inserted into a blood vessel; then the balloon is inflated to expand the blood vessel.Chapter 25

16EEG and END TechnologistsThe title END is more commonly used, as it most accurately describes the occupation.Other important terms are:Electroencephalography – recording the electrical activity in the brain.Electroneurodiagnostic – evaluating the electrical activity of the nervous system.Chapter 25

18EEG and END Technologists (cont.)The electroencephalogramRecords the electrical impulses of the brain, producing a record called the electroencephalogram.The END technologist obtains the client’s medical history, then applies electrodes to the head.The END technologist corrects errors on the tracing that are caused by interference during the EEG.Chapter 25

20Medical Testing Procedures 25-2Recording an ElectrocardiogramAnatomy and Physiology of the HeartBackground for Recording an ECGTwelve-Lead ECGECG MachinesECG Machine ControlsChapter 25

21Recording an ElectrocardiogramAn electrocardiogram (ECG tracing):Determines how well the heart is pumping and contracting.Checks for problems with the flow of electricity through the heart.Diagnoses changes in the heart rhythm.Checks for abnormal heart changes before surgery.Assists in evaluating a person’s health after age 40.Monitors or evaluates individuals with heart conditions.Chapter 25

23Background for Recording an ECGThe technician must understand the heart’s electrical conduction system.Each contraction of the heart muscle is controlled by electrical impulses.The pattern of current is recorded by the ECG machine.Chapter 25

24Background for Recording an ECG (cont.)The ECG WaveformThe deflections on a tracing rise above or fall below a straight line.This line is known as an isoelectric line, or baseline.Positive deflections go up, negative ones go down.Each wave represents specific activity in the heart.Chapter 25

25Twelve-Lead ECGGives a recording of the electrical activity within the heart.Attaching the leads and electrodes:Six leads are attached to the chest electrodes.Four leads are attached to electrodes on the arms and legs.The 10 lead wires produce 12 different lead circuits.Chapter 25

27Twelve-Lead ECG (cont.)Proper Handling and StorageKeep unused electrodes in a sealed plastic bag.Check the expiration date.Ensure the gel has not dried.Always check electrodes before you use them.Chapter 25